Gartner: Every employee is a digital worker

Insight | Daily duties | Digital technologies | Introduction

The introduction of digital technologies has helped to make big changes to how companies carry out their daily duties.

While there are many ways for companies to introduce more effective ways for carrying out their regular tasks, it is vital that companies are properly aware of the skills required in order to carry out these jobs.

Although some workers are reluctant to carry out the upskilling required to become more comfortable with digital technology, it is key that staff realise they need to develop these abilities in order to properly excel in their role.

How can business strategies help employees to become more digital?

In order for companies to properly develop their skills, employers should approach the consumerization of IT in a disjointed way, focusing on specific technology initiatives such as mobile or social, according to Gartner.

The group suggested that making computing resources more accessible will improve engagement by providing feelings of ownership. With this in mind, the digital workplace should complement HR initiatives by improving factors ranging from workplace culture to work-life balance.

Matt Cain, research vice president at Gartner, said: “IT leaders are in a unique position to strategically sense and respond to a set of seemingly disconnected business initiatives for employees, partners and customers.

“The central thread that ties them all together is the consumerization of technology, and a failure to engage with this will further marginalize the IT group.”

Mr Cain went on to say that shadow IT investments often surpass 30 per cent of total IT spend, adding that this will only rise as a result of demand for new apps and services to pursue digital opportunities outstrips the capacity of IT to provide them.

At this time, cloud services will mature, meaning employee demographics will shift to more technically savvy employees who are frustrated by the pace of conventional IT.

Instead of fighting the trend, an IT organisation should develop a framework that outlines when it is appropriate for business units and individuals to utilise their own technology solutions.

The benefits of a bimodal approach

In order to meet the demands of fast-evolving business and workforce dynamics, Gartner indicates that organisations adopt a bimodal approach to IT operations. Bimodal IT splits the risk-averse and “slow” methods of conventional IT from the fast-paced demands of digital business.

“Organisations that formally embrace and extend the digital competencies of their employees will experience improved business outcomes and gain competitive advantage.

“The trick, however, will be to ensure that employees willingly embrace new technology, rather than feel threatened by it.”

The dual mode of operation is key to meet the ever-increasing demands of digitally savvy business units and employees and guarantee that critical IT infrastructure and services remain effective.